I was having a tough time finding a 1937 book to read that I hadn’t already read, until I realised that I had a copy of Theatre by W. Somerset Maugham in a Far and Wide omnibus edition. I really liked it, he was such a good writer. The 1937 week is hosted by Simon at Stuck in a Book and Karen at Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings.
In Theatre, Maugham, as a successful playwright was writing about a subject that he knew well. Julia and Michael are married and have become a celebrity couple over the years, with Michael concentrating on the business side of things as he realised that he didn’t have the talent to become a successful actor, unlike Julia. Michael is supposedly the best looking man in the country, which is what drew Julia to him in the first place, but they weren’t married long before Julia realised that he was a tight-fisted, narcissistic bore.
Julia is never off the stage, she’s always acting out her emotions, or the emotions that she thinks correct for the occasion, she’s completely artificial but seems to fool everyone, or so she thinks. It comes as a shock to her in her middle-age that others have been judging her, and she has been found to be wanting.
There’s obviously a lot more to the book than I’ve said, if you get the chance you should give it a go. I’m already planning to read another by Maugham soon.
This is another author I have not read, but at least I am familiar with the author. Theatre does sound good.
tracybham,
I’m definitely going to read more from those omnibus editions I have. I always enjoy his books.
I have never read Maugham but this one does sound interesting. I was impressed with how many books you’d read from 1937, although I guess I had read some of them too.
How are you for 1970?
Constance,
It looks like I’ve only read three from 1970, since starting to blog. A Rosemary Sutcliffe, Anne Rundle and Joan Lingard, I suppose they would all be classed as YA.
I had read others from 1937, such as the Sayers and Christie, but long before blogging.
I’ve not read that many from 1970. The Sendak, Muriel Spark, Mary Stewart, Helene Hanff, Roald Dahl and Dee Brown, some should definitely be on my blog but aren’t popping up! Jack has loads of SF books published in 1970 so I might read a few of them – or you could recommend something for me to read.
This has been a popular one, thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. It’s too long since I read Maugham!
I really like Maugham’s writing and always mean to read more, but years go past and I don’t. I definitely will this time! I really enjoyed the week.